Ex-situ Conservation of Quercus oglethorpensis in Living Collections

Quercus oglethorpensis Duncan (Oglethorpe oak) is an endangered species native to the southeastern United States, where it sporadically occurs in small populations both on protected and unprotected land. Despite its southern distribution, Q. oglethorpensis has demonstrated cold-hardiness and adaptability when cultivated outside its native range at The Morton Arboretum (Lisle, IL) and could be suitable for ex-situ conservation in the living collections of multiple botanic gardens and arboreta. In 2015, through a joint venture between the US Forest Service and American Public Gardens Association, seed and/or samples of scion wood were collected from populations of the species in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina and distributed to The Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe, IL), Starhill Forest Arboretum (Petersburg, IL), Holden Arboretum (Willoughby, OH), Donald E. Davis Arboretum of Auburn University (Auburn, AL) and Moore Farms Botanical Garden (Lake City, SC). Seven years later, over 75 trees have been planted across these collections, where they are under observation and evaluation for their establishment and long term suitability in these various climates.